Department for Transport

Bus Services: Franchises

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 26 February 2015 to Question 225524, what progress KPMG has made in its review of the bus market.

Andrew Jones: The consultants are progressing with their work and will publish their report once they have completed the study, expected to be in the early summer.

Bus Services: Tyne and Wear

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the Government's policy is on plans by the North East Combined Authority to implement a quality contract scheme for bus services in the Tyne and Wear area.

Andrew Jones: Although the Department issues statutory guidance on the overall process, which was last done in 2009, following changes made by the Local Transport Act 2008, passed by the then Labour Government, the Government has no role in considering or approving individual quality contract schemes. Whether to adopt a quality contract scheme is therefore a matter for individual local authorities to determine.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent representations his Department has received from local residents' groups on High Speed 2.

Mr Robert Goodwill: I am unaware of any specific recent representations to the Department from local residents’ groups on HS2. However, such representations might be expected to go to HS2 Ltd.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment his Department has made of the total cost of High Speed 2.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Spending Round 2013 (SR 2013) provided an agreed funding envelope for delivery of the HS2 project of £50.1bn (in 2011 prices and excluding VAT). This comprises construction costs of £21.4bn for Phase 1 and £21.2bn for Phase 2 plus £7.5bn for Rolling Stock. These costs include a considerable level of contingency.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department's estimate is of the (a) commencement and (b) completion dates for construction of Phase 1 of High Speed 2.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Phase One of High Speed 2 is due to commence operation in December 2026. Therefore, subject to the successful passage of the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill, construction of Phase One is expected to begin during 2017 and to be complete by 2026.

Railways: Fares

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many outstanding disputes there are with train operating companies over payments relating to the decision to hold regulated fares increases at RPI in 2014 and 2015.

Claire Perry: We have no outstanding disputes with train operating companies over payments relating to the decision to hold regulated fare increases at the level of RPI in 2014 and 2015.

Rolling Stock: Procurement

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the maximum speed of bi-modal IEP trains in regular service will be when they are running on diesel power.

Claire Perry: The maximum speed of the bi-modal IEP train in regular service, when they are running on diesel, will be the maximum permitted line speed.

Midland Main Railway Line

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects to issue East Midlands Trains' Direct Award; and when he expects to make a decision on the rolling stock that will be used on the Midland Main Line once electrification works are completed.

Claire Perry: We expect to announce the Direct Award in the summer. It will be for bidders for the next long-term East Midlands franchise to include proposals for the post-electrification rolling stock in their bids. The franchise competition will be run in 2016, with services to start in October 2017.

Railways

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of the cost of (a) Reading Station Area Redevelopment, (b) East West Rail Phase 1 and Phase 2, (c) the Northern Hub, (d) TransPennine electrification, (e) Great Western Main Line electrification, (f) Midland Main Line electrification, (g) South Wales Main Line electrification, (h) Valley Lines electrification, (i) Southampton Port to Basingstoke DC to AC conversion and (j) Oxford to Leamington Spa electrification.

Claire Perry: Network Rail does not as a general rule release latest cost estimates for its CP5 enhancement schemes. This is to protect its commercial position with suppliers. However, the ORR publishes quarterly updates on the enhancements cost adjustment mechanism (ECAM) process, including the efficient price for schemes which have completed this process. The website also gives total funding levels determined to date. These are made publicly available on its website here: http://orr.gov.uk/what-and-how-we-regulate/regulation-of-network-rail/how-we-regulate-network-rail/control-period-5-cp5/cp5-delivery-plan.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Mrs Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish a list of all properties on phase 1 of High Speed 2 which lie (a) within 300 metres, (b) between 300 and 500 metres and (c) between 500 and 1,000 metres of the route where it is constructed from the surface in (i) Chesham and Amersham and (ii) Aylesbury.

Mr Robert Goodwill: This information cannot be provided because to do so would not be consistent with the principles of the Data Protection Act.

Airports

Mrs Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the report from the Davies Commission on airport capacity will be published.

Mr Robert Goodwill: It is for the independent Airports Commission to determine when to publish its final report. Following the Airports Commission’s final report, we will consider the Commission’s full body of work and decide how and at what pace to respond to any recommendation the Commission may make.

High Speed Two

Mrs Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Residents' Commissioner at HS2 Ltd will produce her first quarterly report.

Mr Robert Goodwill: I anticipate that the report will be published in early June.

Railways: Liverpool

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the feasibility of running a proportion of direct train services from London to Liverpool through (a) Newton-le-Willows, (b) Earlestown and (c) St Helens Junction.

Andrew Jones: The Secretary of State for Transport has made no assessment of the feasibility of running a proportion of direct train services from London to Liverpool through Newton-le-Willows, Earlestown or St Helens Junction.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Affordable Housing

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the average cost as a proportion of local market rent levels of homes built under the affordable rent model by (a) local authorities and (b) housing associations in (i) England, (ii) London, (iii) London Borough of Islington and (iv) Islington South and Finsbury constituency in each of the last four years.

Brandon Lewis: This information is not held centrally.

Housing Starts: Kingston Upon Hull

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many new housing starts there have been in Hull local authority area in the last 10 years; and how many such housing starts have been of social housing.

Brandon Lewis: Statistics on the number of new housing starts in each local authority area in England are published by the Department in Live Table 253 which is available at the following link;https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-house-building.These figures are derived from records kept for building control purposes. It is sometimes difficult for data providers to identify whether a dwelling is being built for a Registered Social Landlord or for a private developer. This may lead to an understatement of Registered Social Landlord starts recorded in these tables. For this reason the Department provides statistics on the number of additional social rented homes provided by local authority area. These statistics are published by the Department in Live Table 1006 which is available at the following link;https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-affordable-housing-supply.

Animal Experiments: Yorkshire and the Humber

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he plans to make a decision on the appeal relating to a planning application for a facility at Grimston, Yorkshire for the breeding of dogs and other animals for laboratory use; and if he will make a statement.

Brandon Lewis: Ministers are giving careful consideration to the planning issues in this case and aim to issue the decision on or before 18 June.

HM Treasury

Taxation

Louise Haigh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to simplify the tax system for small businesses and the self-employed.

Mr David Gauke: At Budget 2015, the government announced that it would modernise the tax system by introducing digital tax accounts for everyone by the end of this Parliament. Self-Assessment for small businesses will operate through digital tax accounts with the UK’s five million small businesses having access to a secure digital tax account by early 2016. The government will publish, by the end of this year, a roadmap setting out proposed changes to modernise the tax system, making it easier for all customers to manage their affairs online and pay the right tax at the right time.  The Government will also simplify the tax system specifically for the self-employed, by abolishing Class 2 National Insurance contributions (NICs) and consulting on introducing a new contributory benefit test into Class 4 NICs.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Burma: Refugees

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the provision of support to stranded Rohingya migrants; and what the outcome was of such discussions.

Mr Hugo Swire: We are deeply concerned about the crisis in the Bay of Bengal, and particularly for the thousands of people adrift in the Andaman Sea and Malacca Straits. It is vital that Burma addresses the longer-term issues which lie at the root of the problem - namely the desperate conditions in which Rohingya communities are living in Rakhine State. I asked the Burmese Ambassador in London to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 18 May to express our concern at the situation, and press Burma to take urgent steps to deal with the humanitarian implications of the crisis, as well as the underlying causes in Rakhine. I also met the Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary on 20 May and raised the need for Bangladesh to work within the region to address people trafficking and irregular migration. It is clear that this is an issue that requires a comprehensive regional response, and as such we welcomed the Thai authorities’ decision to call a regional summit on 29 May to tackle the broader issues. Our Ambassador in Bangkok attended this summit as an observer. We also very much welcome the 20 May decision, from the Foreign Ministers of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, to provide humanitarian assitance those stranded at sea. As I made clear in a Parliamentary debate in January, we have long encouraged a wider UN leadership role to help bring about a long term solution to bring peace and reconciliation to all communities in Rakhine State. UN Secretary General Ban-ki Moon called Burmese President Thein Sein on 20 May to discuss this issue. It was also discussed at the UN Security Council on 28 May. The UK is playing its part to resolve the dire situation in Rakhine. Since 2012, the UK has been one of the largest bilateral humanitarian donors in Rakhine State. We have invested over £18m in humanitarian support there, which helps to provide shelter; water sanitation and hygiene; nutrition and protection activities; and non-food items for over 122,000 people. We also strongly support the UN’s coordination of the international humanitarian response.

Balkans: Politics and Government

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will meet his counterparts in the Balkan countries to discuss reducing tensions between Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia.

Mr David Lidington: We continue to track developments in the Western Balkans closely. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), discussed our concerns about the political situation in Macedonia with EU Foreign Ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council on 18 May, and I met the Foreign Ministers of Macedonia and Albania in the margins of the Council of Europe Ministerial meeting on 18 May. As part of regular contacts with Western Balkans counterparts, we continue to raise regional security concerns.

Burma: Ethnic Groups

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Burmese authorities about the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Burma.

Mr Hugo Swire: We remain deeply concerned by the situation of the Rohingya. They continue to suffer severe restrictions on their freedom of movement, on their access to livelihoods, schools, healthcare and places of worship. The UN and other agencies continue to struggle to gain unhindered humanitarian access in Rakhine State. Burma’s refusal to recognise citizenship claims of the Rohingya has compounded the denial of the most basic rights. We have raised our concern at the situation of the Rohingya community in all of our recent Ministerial contacts with the Burmese government. Most recently, I asked the Burmese Ambassador in London to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 18 May to express our concern at the situation of Rohingya and the related migrant crisis in the Bay of Bengal. I urged Burma to take swift steps to deal with the humanitarian implications of the crisis, as well as the underlying causes in Rakhine.

Burma: Refugees

Mr David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) raise urgently the situation of Rohingya people on the Andaman Sea with the governments of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia and the Association of South-East Asian Nations and (b) urge those governments to rescue Rohingyas still at sea and not send boats away.

Mr Hugo Swire: We are deeply concerned about the crisis in the Bay of Bengal, and particularly for the thousands of people adrift in the Andaman Sea and Malacca Straits. It is vital that Burma addresses the longer-term issues which lie at the root of the problem - namely the desperate conditions in which Rohingya communities are living in Rakhine State. I asked the Burmese Ambassador in London to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 18 May to express our concern at the situation, and press Burma to take urgent steps to deal with the humanitarian implications of the crisis, as well as the underlying causes in Rakhine. I also met the Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary on 20 May and raised the need for Bangladesh to work within the region to address people trafficking and irregular migration. It is clear that this is an issue that requires a comprehensive regional response, and as such we welcomed the Thai authorities’ decision to call a regional summit on 29 May to tackle the broader issues. Our Ambassador in Bangkok attended this summit as an observer. We also very much welcome the 20 May decision, from the Foreign Ministers of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, to provide humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants. As I made clear in a Parliamentary debate in January, we encourage a wider UN leadership role to help bring about a long term solution to bring peace and reconciliation to all communities in Rakhine State. UN Secretary General Ban-ki Moon called Burmese President Thein Sein on 20 May to discuss this issue. It was also discussed at the UN Security Council on 28 May. The UK is playing its part to resolve the dire situation in Rakhine. Since 2012, the UK has been one of the largest bilateral humanitarian donors in Rakhine State. We have invested over £18m in humanitarian support there, which helps to provide shelter; water sanitation and hygiene; nutrition and protection activities; and non-food items for over 122,000 people. We also strongly support the UN’s coordination of the international humanitarian response.

Burma: Refugees

Mr David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to the UN Secretary-General to urge him to (a) lead personally a response to the situation of Rohingya people on the Andaman Sea and (b) lead negotiations with the government of Burma on addressing the root causes of that situation and securing unhindered access for international humanitarian aid to Rakhine state.

Mr Hugo Swire: We are deeply concerned about the crisis in the Bay of Bengal, and particularly for the thousands of people adrift in the Andaman Sea and Malacca Straits. It is vital that Burma addresses the longer-term issues which lie at the root of the problem - namely the desperate conditions in which Rohingya communities are living in Rakhine State. I asked the Burmese Ambassador in London to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 18 May to express our concern at the situation, and press Burma to take urgent steps to deal with the humanitarian implications of the crisis, as well as the underlying causes in Rakhine. I also met the Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary on 20 May and raised the need for Bangladesh to work within the region to address people trafficking and irregular migration. It is clear that this is an issue that requires a comprehensive regional response, and as such we welcomed the Thai authorities’ decision to call a regional summit on 29 May to tackle the broader issues. Our Ambassador in Bangkok attended this summit as an observer. We also very much welcome the 20 May decision, from the Foreign Ministers of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, to provide humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants. As I made clear in a Parliamentary debate in January, we encourage a wider UN leadership role to help bring about a long term solution to bring peace and reconciliation to all communities in Rakhine State. UN Secretary General Ban-ki Moon called Burmese President Thein Sein on 20 May to discuss this issue. It was also discussed at the UN Security Council on 28 May. The UK is playing its part to resolve the dire situation in Rakhine. Since 2012, the UK has been one of the largest bilateral humanitarian donors in Rakhine State. We have invested over £18m in humanitarian support there, which helps to provide shelter; water sanitation and hygiene; nutrition and protection activities; and non-food items for over 122,000 people. We also strongly support the UN’s coordination of the international humanitarian response.

UK Membership of the EU: Referendums

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether UK citizens living overseas will be eligible to vote in the planned referendum on the UK's continued membership of the EU.

Mr David Lidington: The franchise for the EU referendum is based on the UK Parliamentary franchise with the addition of Members of the House of Lords and Commonwealth citizens in Gibraltar. This includes those who are 18 or over on the day of the poll and who are either British citizens resident in the UK; qualifying Commonwealth and Irish citizens who are resident in the UK; and British citizens who have lived overseas for fewer than 15 years and were registered to vote before they left the UK.

UK Membership of the EU: Referendums

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the franchise for the planned referendum on the UK's continued membership of the EU will exclude (a) citizens of EU member states who are resident in the UK and are eligible to vote in elections to the European Parliament and (b) 16 and 17 year olds; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Lidington: The franchise for the EU referendum is based on the UK Parliamentary franchise with the addition of Members of the House of Lords and Commonwealth citizens in Gibraltar. This includes those who are 18 or over on the day of the poll and who are either British citizens resident in the UK; qualifying Commonwealth and Irish citizens who are resident in the UK; and British citizens who have lived overseas for fewer than 15 years and were registered to vote before they left the UK.

Ukraine: Politics and Government

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the political situation in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine.

Mr David Lidington: Russia’s destabilisation of eastern Ukraine has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with over 1.5 million people displaced, over 6000 people killed and tens of thousands wounded. The situation there will only improve when Russia abides by the commitments it made at Minsk; withdraws its troops, its heavy weaponry and support for the separatists.Since Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea we have become increasingly concerned by the deteriorating human rights situation there. We continue to call for free and unconditional access by international humanitarian and human rights organisations to Crimea at all times.

Religious Freedom

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect international religious freedom and reduce global religious persecution.

Mr David Lidington: The Government will stand up for the freedom of people of all religions – and non-religious people – to practise their beliefs in peace and safety. The UK will continue to work actively both bilaterally and multilaterally to ensure that States protect the right of all individuals to practise their religion or belief free from persecution or discrimination. The Government led efforts to rescue stranded Yazidis on Mount Sinjar after their persecution by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.The UK is also active in the United Nations, European Union and other relevant international organisations in calling on States to promote and protect the right to freedom of religion or belief and ensure the free and equal participation of all in society. The UK is an active member of the Canadian-led International Contact Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Industry: North West

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his Department's industrial strategy is for (a) Merseyside and (b) the North West.

Anna Soubry: Industrial Strategy is a long-term whole-of-government approach to support economic growth. The partnership between business and all parts of government has delivered, and continues to deliver, a range of opportunities to help create growth, jobs and economic prosperity across the UK. Whilst there are many examples of collaboration at a local level delivering industrial strategy objectives and economic growth (see www.bit.ly/instratmap), industrial strategy operates on a thematic and sectoral basis.   The Government is committed to creating a Northern Powerhouse, enabling the North of England to reach its potential as a driving force in the UK economy. The Government works closely with the Local Enterprise Partnerships across the North West, which are responsible for determining the priorities for investment in their areas in line with their strategic economic plans. This includes the expanded growth deals agreed in January 2015 with each Local Enterprise Partnership, which committed a total of £1.25bn of investment in the North West area over the lifetime of the deals (2015-2021), including £263.9m for the Liverpool City Region.

Department for International Development

Overseas Aid

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many organisations headquartered (a) in Scotland and (b) elsewhere in the UK have (i) applied for and (ii) been awarded funding through the UK Aid Match Scheme in each year since that scheme was introduced.

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much funding has been awarded to each organisation headquartered (a) in Scotland and (b) elsewhere in the UK under the UK Aid Match Scheme in each year since that scheme was introduced.

Justine Greening: The number of applications for each year of the scheme is presented in the table below and separated by headquarter location. Round / YearHeadquarter of OrganisationAppliedSuccessfulPilot: 2011-12Scotland00Elsewhere in the UK1818Interim: 2013Scotland10Elsewhere in the UK166Round 1: 2013Scotland00Elsewhere in the UK3111Round 2: 2014Scotland22Elsewhere in the UK3912Round 3: 2014Scotland20Elsewhere in the UK289Round 4: 2015Scotland3TBCElsewhere in the UK38TBC  To increase awareness and encourage applications from organisations headquartered in Scotland, DFID and NIDOS (the Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland) ran a workshop for NIDOS members interested in applying for UK Aid Match funding in Glasgow on 21 May 2014. In addition, a ‘DFID Direct’ event, sharing information on DFID funding schemes for civil society organisations, was held in Glasgow with the Minister of State for International Development, Desmond Swayne MP, on 26 February 2015.

Sustainable Development

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the Government's policy is on the (a) number and (b) content of the Sustainable Development Goals produced by the UN Open Working Group.

Justine Greening: The UK maintains that a short set of goals and targets to replace the Millennium Development Goals would be ideal, but we recognise the strong consensus among UN member states to maintain the Sustainable Development goals and targets on the Open Working Group in their current form.  The UK has consistently supported the content of the proposed Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome in particular Goal 1 on ending extreme poverty, Goal 5 on Gender which strongly reflects UK priorities including ending female genital mutilation and early forced marriage, and Goal 16 on peaceful and inclusive societies, good governance, and access to justice.

Climate Change

Patrick Grady: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what response the Government has made to the Synthesis Report of the UN Secretary-General on the Post-2015 Agenda.

Justine Greening: The UK welcomed the UN Secretary-General’s Synthesis Report as a useful contribution to the post-2015 negotiations when it was released in December 2014. In particular we welcomed his proposal for six ‘essential elements’ as a way to communicate the agenda in an inspiring and concise way to citizens everywhere. We were also pleased to note his suggestion that the UN System conducts a technical review of the Sustainable Development Goal targets to ensure that they are as implementable as possible.

Nepal: Earthquakes

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance her Department is offering to Nepal after the recent earthquakes in that country.

Mr Desmond Swayne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 1 June 2015 to Question 21 http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons&uin=21.

Department for Education

Children: Day Care

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the timetable is for the implementation of 30 hours of free childcare to working parents of three and four year-olds; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The changes will be implemented to all working parents of three- and four-year-olds from September 2017. We are also developing plans to introduce the changes for some families a year earlier than planned, in September 2016.

Children: Daycare

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans her Department has to extend free childcare for working parents.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The Government will increase the amount of free childcare available to working parents of three- and four-year-olds to 30 hours per week in 2017.

Children: Daycare

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the annual cost to the public purse of the proposal to extend free childcare to 30 hours per week to working parents.

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the cost to the public purse of doubling the free childcare allowance for three and four year olds to 30 hours per week will be by 2020; and from which areas of departmental expenditure this will be funded.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The cost of the new childcare entitlement of 30 hours per week for working families will be considered as part of the normal Budget and Spending Review process.

GCSE

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the trends in the number of students who take vocational GCSEs who go on to study at university.

Nick Boles: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 01 June 2015.The correct answer should have been:

The requested information has been supplied below:   Number of pupils entering higher education having achieved at least one vocational GCSE qualification YearPupils in HE with at least one vocational GCSE by the end of key stage 42011/1228,4092012/1321,655 Source: National Pupil Database, HESA dataset These changes are the result of reforms to performance tables which have removed the perverse incentives for schools to teach qualifications that were easy to achieve and/or had an inflated value in performance measures. This served only to devalue vocational education. Now, the qualifications which can count in performance tables are those that are of demonstrably high quality and promote progression.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The requested information has been supplied below:   Number of pupils entering higher education having achieved at least one vocational GCSE qualification YearPupils in HE with at least one vocational GCSE by the end of key stage 42011/1228,4092012/1321,655 Source: National Pupil Database, HESA dataset These changes are the result of reforms to performance tables which have removed the perverse incentives for schools to teach qualifications that were easy to achieve and/or had an inflated value in performance measures. This served only to devalue vocational education. Now, the qualifications which can count in performance tables are those that are of demonstrably high quality and promote progression.

GCSE

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many vocational GCSEs were taken in each year since 2007.

Nick Boles: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 01 June 2015.The correct answer should have been:

The requested information has been provided in the table below. Results of GCSEs in Applied[1] (vocational) subjects of pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 YearTotal Entries2006/07147,2642007/08114,5822008/09138,1012009/10113,1802010/1195,1162011/1223,4592012/1312,1092013/14[2][3]7,881  Source: Key Stage 4 attainment data   These changes are the result of reforms to performance tables which have removed the perverse incentives for schools to teach qualifications that were easy to achieve and/or had an inflated value in performance measures. This served only to devalue vocational education. Now, the qualifications which can count in performance tables are those that are of demonstrably high quality and promote progression.  [1] For the years 2008/09 to 2010/11 this includes entries in both single and double award applied GCSEs. All other years include entries for double award applied GCSEs only.[2] Discounting has been applied where pupils have taken the same subject more than once and only one entry is counted in these circumstances. Further information is available from the GCSE statistical first release available at: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/revised-gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2013-to-2014. The first entry policy was introduced in 2013/14; this policy could have affected the total number of entries in 2013/14.[3] Double Award vocational GCSEs are equivalent to 1 GCSE.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The requested information has been provided in the table below. Results of GCSEs in Applied[1] (vocational) subjects of pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 YearTotal Entries2006/07147,2642007/08114,5822008/09138,1012009/10113,1802010/1195,1162011/1223,4592012/1312,1092013/14[2][3]7,881  Source: Key Stage 4 attainment data   These changes are the result of reforms to performance tables which have removed the perverse incentives for schools to teach qualifications that were easy to achieve and/or had an inflated value in performance measures. This served only to devalue vocational education. Now, the qualifications which can count in performance tables are those that are of demonstrably high quality and promote progression.  [1] For the years 2008/09 to 2010/11 this includes entries in both single and double award applied GCSEs. All other years include entries for double award applied GCSEs only.[2] Discounting has been applied where pupils have taken the same subject more than once and only one entry is counted in these circumstances. Further information is available from the GCSE statistical first release available at: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/revised-gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2013-to-2014. The first entry policy was introduced in 2013/14; this policy could have affected the total number of entries in 2013/14.[3] Double Award vocational GCSEs are equivalent to 1 GCSE.

Vocational Education

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many BTEC qualifications at each level were taken in each of the last 10 years.

Nick Boles: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 01 June 2015.The correct answer should have been:

Data relating to the number of awards for BTEC qualifications by level has only been collected since the 2005/06 academic year. Therefore, figures for 2005/06 to 2013/14 inclusive are provided in the table below. BTEC qualification[1] numbers of pupils at the end of Key stage 4[2] in all schools  Number of Awards Year[3],[4]Level 1Level 22005/06-9,8352006/07-37,7982007/08-102,3292008/09-166,2422009/10-259,9212010/11-283,2062011/12[5]13,661463,5252012/1315,949503,5422013/14[6]3,465294,729 Source: Key Stage 4 attainment data  These changes are the result of reforms to performance tables which have removed the perverse incentives for schools to teach qualifications that were easy to achieve and/or had an inflated value in performance measures. This served only to devalue vocational education. Now, the qualifications which can count in performance tables are those that are of demonstrably high quality and promote progression.  [1] Until 2010/11, comprises BTEC First Diploma and BTEC First Certificate. From 2011/12, it comprises BTEC Award, BTEC Certificate and BTEC Diploma.[2] Those in all schools who were at the end of key stage 4 in the relevant academic year.[3] Includes achievements by these pupils in previous academic years.[4] Figures for 2006/07 and 2007/08 are provisional, all other years are revised.[5] From 2011/12 onwards, BTEC and OCR qualifications awarded as part of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) are included in their respective BTEC and OCR qualification categories.[6] Figures for 2013/14 are based on the new 2013/14 methodology where Professor Alison Wolf’s recommendations and the first entry policy have been implemented. Only those BTEC qualifications mentioned in the document at the following link are included: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/411159/Archived-KS4_performance_tables_-_inclusion_of_14-16_qualifications_in_2014.pdf. Therefore the results for 2013/14 academic years may not be directly comparable to previous years.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Data relating to the number of awards for BTEC qualifications by level has only been collected since the 2005/06 academic year. Therefore, figures for 2005/06 to 2013/14 inclusive are provided in the table below. BTEC qualification[1] numbers of pupils at the end of Key stage 4[2] in all schools  Number of Awards Year[3],[4]Level 1Level 22005/06-9,8352006/07-37,7982007/08-102,3292008/09-166,2422009/10-259,9212010/11-283,2062011/12[5]13,661463,5252012/1315,949503,5422013/14[6]3,465294,729 Source: Key Stage 4 attainment data  These changes are the result of reforms to performance tables which have removed the perverse incentives for schools to teach qualifications that were easy to achieve and/or had an inflated value in performance measures. This served only to devalue vocational education. Now, the qualifications which can count in performance tables are those that are of demonstrably high quality and promote progression.  [1] Until 2010/11, comprises BTEC First Diploma and BTEC First Certificate. From 2011/12, it comprises BTEC Award, BTEC Certificate and BTEC Diploma.[2] Those in all schools who were at the end of key stage 4 in the relevant academic year.[3] Includes achievements by these pupils in previous academic years.[4] Figures for 2006/07 and 2007/08 are provisional, all other years are revised.[5] From 2011/12 onwards, BTEC and OCR qualifications awarded as part of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) are included in their respective BTEC and OCR qualification categories.[6] Figures for 2013/14 are based on the new 2013/14 methodology where Professor Alison Wolf’s recommendations and the first entry policy have been implemented. Only those BTEC qualifications mentioned in the document at the following link are included: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/411159/Archived-KS4_performance_tables_-_inclusion_of_14-16_qualifications_in_2014.pdf. Therefore the results for 2013/14 academic years may not be directly comparable to previous years.

Academies

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidelines her Department has issued on how a consultation under sections 5(1) and 5(2) of the Academies Act 2010 should be undertaken.

Edward Timpson: The Department for Education’s document, Convert to an academy: guide for schools, provides advice to schools on how to pursue conversion to academy status, including information on conducting a statutory consultation. The guidance can be found here: www.gov.uk/guidance/convert-to-an-academy-information-for-schools

Academies

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy that when a significant proportion of (a) parents and (b) staff oppose a proposed conversion of a school to academy status, that proposal should fall.

Edward Timpson: Governing bodies are required to consult parents and staff as part of the conversion process. The governing body is already expected to take account of the outcome of the consultation when deciding whether to enter into a funding agreement with the Secretary of State.

Academies

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will issue directions to the governing bodies of schools planning to convert to academy status to require them to publish the outcome of their consultation on that proposal before they make a decision on the proposal.

Edward Timpson: The conduct of the consultation and how it is followed up is a matter for the governing body of the school. As public bodies they are subject to the Freedom of Information Act and members of the public are free to request information on the outcome of the consultation from them.

Academies

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, on what grounds parents can object to a consultation process on converting a school to academy status when they do not consider that the consultation is posing relevant questions or adequately seeking opinion; and by what process such an objection can be made.

Edward Timpson: It is the responsibility of the governing body of the school to conduct the consultation in a reasonable and lawful manner. If parents wish to object to the conduct of the consultation they should do so by contacting the governing body of the school.

Academies

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether there are circumstances in which a consultation under Sections 5(1) and 5(2) of the Academies Act 2010 would not occur during pre-election purdah.

Edward Timpson: The timing and conduct of the consultation are the responsibility of the governing body of the school. Maintained school governing bodies are not subject to the same restrictions as Government during the pre-election period and would not be prohibited from conducting a statutory consultation during it.

Free Schools

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to paragraph 1.2 of Free Schools: how to apply, published by her Department in February 2015, what definition her Department uses for the term, local demand for new provision.

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to paragraph 1.2 of Free Schools: how to apply, published by her Department in February 2015, what definition her Department uses for the term, need for pupil places.

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish the applications to Wave 9 free schools and all correspondences between her Department's officials and Wave 9 applicants; and by what process applicants will learn of the outcome of their applications.

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, upon which criteria Wave 9 free school applications will be assessed.

Edward Timpson: Wave 9 free school applications will be assessed against the criteria set out in “Free school applications: criteria for assessment”, which is published on the Gov.UK website: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/401234/free-school-applications-criteria-for-assessment-mainstream-and-16-to-19_feb_2015_final.pdf   The criteria make clear that the assessment of an application will include an assessment of the extent to which the proposed school addresses any shortage of school places in the area (“need for pupil places”). The assessment will also judge the extent to which the school will add to the diversity of local provision, offer higher standards than other local schools and respond to parental demand (“local demand for new provision”).   All wave 9 applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their free school application. In due course, the successful applications and outcome letters sent to successful applicants will be published on the GOV.UK website.

Free Schools

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school places have been created through the free school programme.

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many places were created by the free schools programme in (a) wave 1, (b) wave 2, (c) wave 3, (d) wave 4, (e) wave 5, (f) wave 6, (g) wave 7 and (h) wave 8; and what number and proportion of such places have been created in areas of high and severe need for primary school places.

Edward Timpson: When the schools are at full capacity, around (a) 58,000 primary schools places, (b) 104,000 secondary school places and 50,000 places at all-through schools will be created by the free schools that have already opened or that are working towards opening in September 2015 and beyond. Special, 16-19 and alternative provision free schools will provide an additional 15,000 places. The table below summarises the number of primary, secondary school and all-through places created in each free school application wave. 46,150 primary places (80%) are in areas with a projected shortfall of primary places at the time the free school application was approved. Application wavePlaces created (to nearest 1,000)Wave 113,000Wave 231,000Wave 343,000Wave 445,000Wave 55,000Wave 619,000Wave 720,000Wave 834,000

Schools: Admissions

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish all departmental forecasts for projections of high and severe shortages of (a) primary and (b) secondary school places in (i) 2015, (ii) 2016, (iii) 2017, (iv) 2018 and (v) 2019.

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how her Department calculates areas of high and severe need for primary school places.

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish forecasts for the demand for (a) primary school places and (b) secondary school places in each local authority area in each of the next five years.

Edward Timpson: The Department for Education publishes forecasts for pupil numbers in each local authority annually. The latest available data can be found in the 2014 capacity tables published online at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-capacity-academic-year-2013-to-2014   Table 4 provides local authority forecasts of pupils of primary school age through to 2018/19. Table 5 provides local authority forecasts of pupil of secondary school age through to 2020/21.   For primary school places, the department has published information on the number of places added by local authorities, the number of places for which there are firm plans for delivery, and the number of places that the department estimates are still needed. This information is published in the local authority basic need scorecards which are published online at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/primary-school-places-local-authority-basic-need-scorecards   The way in which the department estimates the shortfall of places is described in the technical annex of the scorecards. The department no longer articulates the shortfall of places in terms of ‘severe’, ‘high’ or ‘moderate’. Instead, it focuses on the estimated number of additional places needed to meet demand. The department’s aim is to ensure that all children have access to a good school place.   The basic need scorecard published in April 2014 focused on the estimated number of additional places needed to meet demand in 2015/16. It is our intention to continue to publish local authority pupil forecasts, school capacity data and shortfall calculations in a similar way.

Ministry of Justice

Employment Tribunals Service: Fees and Charges

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he plans to conduct a review of the effects of the introduction of employment tribunal fees.

Mr Shailesh Vara: Following a public consultation, fees were introduced in Employment Tribunals to reduce the burden on the taxpayer of paying for Employment Tribunals and to encourage parties to seek alternative ways of resolving their disputes. The Government has ensured that fee waivers are available for those who cannot afford to pay, as well as diverting people away from potentially acrimonious hearings, where possible, through a new early conciliation scheme which has already been used by over 60,000 people in its first six months.The Government is currently considering the options for a review of Employment Tribunal fees. A further announcement will be made in due course.

Courts: Sunderland

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the Answer of 24 February 2015 to Question 225118, what progress the court reform programme has made in the rebuilding of Sunderland Court.

Mr Shailesh Vara: Pursuant to the answer of 24 February 2015 to Question 225118, Ministers are reviewing the court reform programme and announcements will be made in the usual way.

Church Commissioners

Churches: Bats

Bill Wiggin: To ask the right hon. Member for Meriden, representing the Church Commissioners, what discussions the Church Commissioners have had with the Department for Communities and Local Government on changes to planning regulations that could increase the supply of places suitable for bat roosts and reduce the incidence of bats roosting in churches.

Mrs Caroline Spelman: Following the General Election the Church Commissioners plan to seek an early meeting with the Department for Communities and Local Government regarding changing the regulations on bat roosts. In recent years the Church of England has seen increased numbers of bats using church buildings as roosts. This increased usage of our church buildings by bats for roosting is causing considerable strain on the parish communities and volunteers who maintain the parish churches alongside the great expense in cleaning and restoration of items of great religious, cultural and historic significance. In extreme cases the presence of bats is preventing the building being used for worship or by its wider community.The Church of England is working alongside Natural England on a substantial Heritage Lottery Fund bid which will seek to provide physical and long lasting solutions for the worst affected churches and create a wider support network for those with smaller or transient bat populations. Both St . Margaret of Antioch, Wellington and St Mary’s Church, Pembridge in my Hon Friend’s constituency have faced significant problems with bat populations. Both churches are part of the Heritage Lottery Fund bid and have already installed mitigation measures. We hope the bid for support will be successful and that this might then be able to bring some relief to churches across the country.

Ministry of Defence

Clyde Naval Base: Security

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of security arrangements at the HMS Neptune base at Faslane (a) in general and (b) around berthed Trident submarines at the base.

Penny Mordaunt: As the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend, the Member for Sevenoaks, (Michael Fallon) reported in his Written Statement of 28 May 2015 (Column 1WS), and as I reiterated during the Adjournment Debate the same day (Column 293), neither the operational effectiveness of our continuous at-sea deterrent nor the safety of our submariners or members of the public has been compromised.The Ministry of Defence has an ongoing programme of work to review and, where appropriate, improve safety and security at HM Naval Base Clyde but will not comment on the detail of those arrangements.



WMS Hansard Extract 28 May 2015
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HM Naval Base Clyde Hansard Extract 28 May 2015
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Trident Submarines: Discipline

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what reports he has received since 2010 of fighting between crew members on Trident submarines.

Penny Mordaunt: No reports of fighting between crew members on Trident submarines have been received since 2010.

Navy: Engineers

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to encourage engineers to join the Royal Navy; and what plans he has to increase the salaries of engineers in the Royal Navy.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the private sector about recruitment of engineers to the Royal Navy.

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that recruitment to the Royal Navy matches departures.

Mr Julian Brazier: The Naval Service matches manpower demand with supply through a wide range of initiatives, such as targeted marketing, specific recruitment events, career extensions and retention incentives.A range of mechanisms are in place to attract recruits to technical specialisations for both the Officer and Rating corps. Incentives include a staged remunerative award to new entry Engineer Officers with relevant degrees and Commitment Bonuses for Ratings. In specific areas for serving personnel in the engineering specialism, a range of remunerative measures has also been introduced, in the form of Recruiting and Retention Pay and Financial Retention Incentives.The Royal Navy is currently undertaking a one year trial to recruit Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel from Industry into shortage categories. Known as the Direct Entry Technician scheme, individuals recruited in this way from the private sector will fill shortages in specialist areas. Additionally, the Navy has five affiliations with University Technical Colleges to support the development of skilled individuals that will support industry and help address the national shortage of engineers.The Ministry of Defence has also initiated work with Defence Industry to scope the possibility of adopting an 'Enterprise Approach' to tackle career management, manning and access to key skills.

Weapons

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to increase the UK's counter- (a) chemical, (b) biological (c) radiological and (d) nuclear capabilities.

Penny Mordaunt: The Ministry of Defence has a range of capabilities which contribute to the Government's overall strategy to counter the Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) threat. Defence has a number of programmes in train to enhance its Counter-CBRN capabilities to detect and remove CBRN threats and to protect UK Forces in the event of an attack. Building on existing capabilities, this will deliver a UK response that includes: early warning and detection, individual and collective protection, treatment and post-crisis management, and intelligence and analysis.

Ministry of Defence: Private Military and Security Companies

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many contracts his Department has held with private security companies to provide services in (a) Iraq, (b) Afghanistan and (c) other overseas locations in each year since 2008; what the cost of those contracts was in each such year in each such location; and if he will make a statement.

Penny Mordaunt: The Ministry of Defence has held no contracts with private security companies in Iraq, Afghanistan and other overseas locations since 2008.

Kurds: Military Aid

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost has been to his Department of providing (a) sharp shooting and (b) first aid training to Kurdish forces by private security firms; and if he will make a statement.

Penny Mordaunt: The Ministry of Defence has provided no funding for sharp shooting and first aid training to Kurdish forces by private security firms.

Clyde Naval Base: Safety

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the safety of nuclear submarines on the Clyde; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will review the safety of nuclear submarines based on the Clyde.

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to assure the public of the safety of the UK's nuclear submarines.

Penny Mordaunt: As the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend, the Member for Sevenoaks, (Michael Fallon) reported in his Written Statement of 28 May 2015 (Column 1WS), and as I reiterated during the Adjournment Debate the same day (Column 293), I can assure the public that neither the operational effectiveness of our continuous at-sea deterrent nor the safety of our submariners or members of the public has been compromised.The Ministry of Defence has an ongoing programme of work to review and, where appropriate, improve safety and security at HM Naval Base Clyde. 



WMS Hansard Extract 28 May 2015
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HM Naval Base Clyde  Hansard Extract 28 May 2015
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Iraq: Islamic State

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support the UK is providing to the Iraqi government to counter Islamic State.

Penny Mordaunt: The UK is operating as part of a global coalition of over 60 countries - including Iraq, Arab nations, European partners and the US, to defeat ISIL. The UK is playing a leading role in the coalition, with around 800 personnel in the region helping to counter ISIL.The UK have conducted the second highest number of strikes in Iraq, behind the US and is providing significant critical enablers in the form of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and air to air refuelling capabilities that few other nations possess. We are also providing eight Tornado GR4 Aircraft and a number of Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicles contributing to precision strike and ISR.Within the coalition's training programme to build the capacity of Iraqi security forces, the UK is co-ordinating Coalition counter-IED (C-IED) training with a small planning team in Baghdad and some 30 military trainers based in Erbil. The UK has trained over 1,100 Iraqi forces in infantry skills and in the use of the UK-gifted heavy machine guns. As well as providing niche C-IED and Infantry Skills trainers, we have also trained 108 Peshmerga in our Protection of Civilians training course.

Defence Board

Douglas Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the current composition is of the Defence Board; when it last met; when the next scheduled meeting is; and what the scheduled meeting programme is thereafter.

Michael Fallon: The Defence Board is composed of two Ministers, five senior officials and four non-executive directors, as follows:Secretary of State for Defence, Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP;Minister of State for Defence Procurement, Philip Dunne MP;Permanent Under Secretary, Jon Thompson;Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nicholas Houghton;Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Sir Stuart Peach;Director General Finance, Louise Tulett;Chief of Defence Materiel, Bernard Gray;Lead Non Executive Director, Sir Gerry Grimstone;Non Executive Director, Graham Williams;Non Executive Director, Paul Skinner;Non Executive Director, Danuta Gray.The Defence Board last met on 28 May 2015 and will next meet on 26 June 2015. The Defence Board meets every month, except August.

Armed Forces Covenant

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what organisations in each region have benefitted from the Armed Forces Covenant (Libor) Fund; and how much each such organisation has received.

Mark Lancaster: Information held centrally by the Ministry of Defence on the distribution of the £35 million LIBOR Fund and the £40 million Veterans Accommodation Fund is provided in the attached documents. Information on the £35 million LIBOR Fund is collated by country rather than region.  



Veterans Accomodation Fund
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LIBOR FUND
(Excel SpreadSheet, 47.5 KB)

Clyde Naval Base: Disciplinary Proceedings

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Statement of 28 May 2015 on Safety at HM Naval Base Clyde, what disciplinary procedures Able Seaman William McNeilly may face over potential breaches of security at HM Naval Base Clyde.

Penny Mordaunt: The Royal Navy has a duty of care to those that serve in it. It would be inappropriate to comment or speculate on any criminal or disciplinary charges, and/or administrative procedures Able Seaman McNeilly might face.

Clyde Naval Base: Safety

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Statement of 28 May 2015 on safety at HM Naval Base Clyde, which of Able Seaman William McNeilly's concerns proved to be accurate; and what steps were taken in response.

Penny Mordaunt: As the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend, the Member for Sevenoaks, (Michael Fallon) reported in his Written Statement of 28 May 2015 (Column 1WS), and as I reiterated during the Adjournment Debate the same day (Column 293), the Royal Navy's investigation into Able Seaman NcNeilly's concerns found most of them to be either factually incorrect or the result of mis- or partial understanding.Some of his concerns drew on historical, previously known events, none of which had compromised our deterrent capability and from which, where appropriate, lessons had been learned to develop our procedures as part of a continuous improvement programme.Only one of his allegations remains to be fully concluded - that electronic cigarettes were used onboard the submarine. No corroborative evidence that this practice was taking place has been found. The chain of command is considering if certain products may be suitable for use onboard submarines in the future. As I said in the Debate, it is not possible or reasonable to provide complete transparency on all that has been found, as this concerns the protection of the deterrent capability.

Nuclear Submarines: Electronic Cigarettes

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Statement of 28 May 2015 on safety at HM Naval Base Clyde, what the terms of reference are for the investigation into the alleged use of e-cigarettes on an active Vanguard submarine; and when this investigation will conclude.

Penny Mordaunt: The use of electronic cigarettes is being examined by the Institute of Naval Medicine to ascertain if certain products may be suitable for use onboard submarines in the future. Their use is prohibited in submarines, and the Command is reminding all personnel of the Ministry of Defence policy that electronic cigarettes may be used only in designated smoking areas.

Department for Work and Pensions

Department for Work and Pensions: Public Expenditure

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in what areas of his Department's expenditure spending reductions are planned.

Justin Tomlinson: The Government’s commitment to save £12bn from welfare spending was set out in its election manifesto. Further details will be given in due course.

Housing Benefit

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of housing benefit claimants (a) in total and (b) aged 18 and 21 have children.

Justin Tomlinson: The information requested on how many individuals aged 18 to 21 are in receipt of housing benefit with a dependent child can be found at: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at: https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started---SuperWEB2.html Proportions can be calculated using the published figures.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Birds: Conservation

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to improve the habitat of bitterns.

Rory Stewart: Like all wild birds, the bittern is protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Under this Act it is an offence to kill or injure any wild bird; take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while that nest is in use or being built; and take or destroy an egg of any wild bird.   Bittern habitat is also protected and improved through being designated and managed as Special Protection Areas under the EU Habitats Directive, and as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.   In 1994 Natural England (then English Nature) initiated a Bittern Recovery Programme. By 2012 restoration of approximately 2500 hectares of bittern reed-bed habitat at 80 sites across the UK had been achieved. This resulted in an increase of bittern numbers, from a 1997 low of 11 males to a high of 140 males in 2014.

Animal Welfare: Circuses

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will introduce a ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in England before the end of 2015; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice: A ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses is a manifesto commitment and will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time allows. In the interim, the welfare of the 19 wild animals still being used by travelling circuses in England is protected by the Welfare of Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (England) Regulations 2012.

Seals

Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the number of seals killed off the coast of the UK in each year since 2010.

Rory Stewart: Seal conservation is a devolved issue so I can only respond with respect to England. No licences to cull seals have been issued in England since 2010.   This means that no permission has been granted for any common or grey seals to be taken or killed out of season. All common seals and the majority of grey seals are protected all year-round through a conservation order in the East of England.   The government has not, however, made an assessment of the number of seals which may have been killed off the English coast, notwithstanding the licensing and conservation order protections.

Home Office

Domestic Violence: LGBT People

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what needs-specific support her Department provides for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender victims of domestic abuse.

Karen Bradley: The Government is determined to tackle the appalling crime of domestic violence and abuse. Funding and service support is available to all victims including those from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities. In 2015/16, the Home Office is providing £120,000 in 2015/16 to the charity Broken Rainbow to run a dedicated national helpline specifically for the LGBT community. In addition, in 2015/16 the Home Office is providing £4.3 million to fund specialist services with direct support offered by 144 Independent Domestic Violence Advisers which is available to everybody who is a victim of domestic violence and abuse, irrespective of their age, race, sexuality or gender.

Police and Crime Commissioners

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the performance of Police and Crime Commissioners.

Mike Penning: Police reform is working and crime is falling. The independent Crime Survey for England and Wales shows that crime has fallen by more than a quarter since June 2010, with almost 2.5 million fewer crimes a year. Everyone now has a direct say in policing in their area, through their locally elected and accountable Police and Crime Commissioner. Since coming into post, PCCs have brought real local accountability to how Chief Constables and their forces perform. PCCs are also taking a lead role in driving collaboration between forces and with other emergency services to deliver more effective services and better value for money for the taxpayer. Beyond policing, PCCs have brought focus and drive to work with local partners on crime and criminal justice matters. Ultimately, it will be for the public to assess the performance of their Police and Crime Commissioner through the ballot box.

Drugs

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ban legal highs.

Mike Penning: The Government introduced the Psychoactive Substances Bill in the House of Lords on 28 May which provides for a blanket ban on the supply, sale, distribution and production of new psychoactive substances to protect people from exposure to these substances. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 provides a robust framework to control new psychoactive substances following assessment by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. Since 2010, we have banned more than 500 new drugs, and on 10 April we subjected 5 stimulants to temporary control under the 1971 Act.

Police: Finance

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent representations she has received from the Police Federation on the effect of changes in spending on the police.

Mike Penning: The Police Federation of England and Wales has put its views on the reductions to central Government funding of policing into the public domain. Home Office Ministers regularly meet representatives of the Police Federation and other policing partners to discuss a wide range of issues, including police funding. We will continue to engage with police officers and staff to ensure that their views help to shape the future of policing.

Police Stations: Sheffield

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police stations in (a) Sheffield, Heeley constituency and (b) Sheffield  have closed since 2010; and how many such stations will close next year.

Mike Penning: This information is not held centrally, but is available from police forces. In January South Yorkshire police published data on station closures which had been requested under Freedom of Information legislation www.southyorks.police.uk. Decisions about the most effective use of available resources, including the numbers and operating hours of police stations, are a matter for the Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable locally, tailored to the needs of the local community.

South Yorkshire Police

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent representations she has received on an inquiry into the events of Orgreave in 1984; and if she will make a statement.

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has for an inquiry into the events of Orgreave in 1984.

Mike Penning: The Secretary of State has not received any recent representations. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has completed an assessment of matters arising from the policing of events at Orgreave in 1984 and made decisions about whether any matters should be investigated. Having considered legal advice, the IPCC has decided not to publish the decision at this stage. As the IPCC is an independent organisation the Government has no control or influence over the date of publication of its findings. It would be premature to decide whether any further investigation is necessary in advance of publication of the IPCC’s decision.

Drugs

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department has taken to increase awareness of new psychoactive substances and their dangers in the last five years; and what the cost of such work has been.

Mike Penning: To increase awareness of the risks of new psychoactive substances (NPS), the Government has recently introduced the Psychoactive Substances Bill, which will bring in a blanket ban of NPS by prohibiting and disrupting production, distribution, sale and supply in the UK. The Bill will give police and other law enforcement agencies greater powers to tackle the trade in NPS, targeting suppliers who profit from their sale with complete disregard for the potential risks and consequences. The Home Office ran two advertising campaigns in 2013 and 2014 targeted at young people, with the objective to raise awareness of the dangers of NPS and signpost the FRANK website for further information and advice. In March 2015, we published a resource pack, written in partnership with front line practitioners, to enable those working with young people to have conversations with NPS users and challenge their drug use by raising awareness of the risks and consequences. Total spend on this NPS communications activity in 2013 to 2015 was £180,556. From 2010 to 2013, the Home Office ran a national campaign raising awareness of FRANK, the national drug information and advice service. The FRANK website contains information about the dangers of NPS. Every year since 2009, Ministers have written to approximately 50 festival organisers highlighting NPS dangers and calling on them to adopt a ‘no-legal highs’ policy for their festivals

Offences against Children

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent progress has been made by investigations into cases of historical child abuse.

Karen Bradley: No case of child abuse is ‘historical’ for victims and survivors. They must live with the consequences of their abuse each and every day of their lives. The Independent Panel Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has been set up to determine whether state and non-state institutions take, and have taken, seriously their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse within England and Wales. Any specific allegation to the Inquiry will, where necessary, be referred to law enforcement bodies for consideration for criminal investigation. The Home Office has funded Operation Hydrant, which is the national policing response to the oversight and co-ordination of all child abuse investigations concerning persons of public prominence or those offences which have taken place in institutional settings. The day-to-day investigation into cases of child sexual abuse, including abuse that has taken place in the past, is an operational matter for the police and law enforcement.

Security Guards: Licensing

Kwasi Kwarteng: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to tackle Security Industry Authority licences being issued fraudulently.

Mike Penning: Under the provisions of the Private Security Industry Act 2001, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is responsible for licensing individuals who operate in designated sectors of the private security industry. The SIA has procedures in place to ensure that licences are not issued fraudulently and that private security operatives are 'fit and proper' persons who are properly trained and qualified to do their job. Before issuing a licence, the SIA undertakes checks to verify an individual’s identity, their age, whether they have completed the required level of training and whether they have a criminal record. Since 2012, the SIA has taken action against more than 1,300 licence holders who have used fraudulent qualifications to gain an SIA licence.

Scotland Office

UK Membership of EU

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had on the potential ramifications of a UK withdrawal from the EU on the Union.

David Mundell: I have had no recent discussions on a UK withdrawal from the European Union, as this is not Government policy. The Government is focusing on renegotiation to reform the European Union and address the concerns of the British people about our membership.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Energy Efficiency Deployment Office

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what her policy is on expanding the scope and budget of the Energy Efficiency Deployment Office; and how many staff are employed in that Office.

Andrea Leadsom: The Government is committed to improving energy efficiency. Work on energy efficiency has been carried out across several directorates in the Department over recent years. Following an internal reorganisation within the Department earlier in 2015, the Energy Efficiency Deployment Office no longer exists. The work it previously carried out is now undertaken in a number of different directorates, including those focused on home energy use and business and local energy use.

Historic Buildings: Energy

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps her Department is taking to make historic houses more energy efficient.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) offers a range of policies aimed at making houses, including historic houses, more energy efficient.In addition, DECC is supporting the development of guidance from the Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance to help reduce the risks of unintended consequences when retro-fitting insulation to buildings, particularly older ones, including moisture risk guidance and an online tool to help installers assess the suitability of retrofit measures for traditional buildings.

Renewable Energy: Seas and Oceans

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what plans she has to encourage the development of off-shore wind combined with tidal generation.

Andrea Leadsom: The UK is the world’s leader in offshore wind with over 4GW of capacity installed. The UK is also a leader and one of the most attractive markets in the world for investment in tidal stream energy. It will be for developers to bring forward proposals if they wish to attempt to combine the two technologies. We are aware that there is some research in this area which is at an early stage.

Photovoltaics

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, when she expects solar photovoltaics to reach grid parity.

Andrea Leadsom: We expect that the global price for solar PV will continue to fall over coming years but it is difficult to state with certainty when subsidies will no longer be required. Taking account of uncertainty, some UK projects may begin to reach parity with wholesale or retail electricity prices in the latter years of this decade, depending on the electricity price scenario used, the speed of cost reductions, and the geographical location.

Carbon Emissions

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of which technology will make the greatest contribution to meeting the Government's commitment to decarbonise cost effectively.

Andrea Leadsom: The Climate Change Act 2008 commits the UK to cutting emissions by 80% by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. While the overall goal for 2050 is clear, there are huge uncertainties as to exactly which technologies we will need, and in what combination, to meet this target. In particular, predicting costs out to 2050 is very uncertain – we do not know exactly which technologies will reduce significantly in price over the next 35 years and which will remain the same, and which will turn out to be the easiest and most socially acceptable to deploy.In order to take account of this uncertainty, the Government developed a range of illustrative scenarios for decarbonising the economy to 2050, including a central “cost effective” pathway based on current central cost estimates, which were set out in the 2011 Carbon Plan (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-carbon-plan-reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions--2). It is clear from these scenarios that decarbonising the UK economy will not depend on any single technology: we will need a balanced mix of low carbon technologies to help tackle the threat of climate change while keeping the lights on and ensuring the best value for consumers. The Government will be updating this analysis during 2016 when we set the level of the Fifth Carbon Budget and report on proposals and policies for meeting this, as required under the Climate Change Act 2008.

Energy: Infrastructure

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what her Department's policy is on the foreign ownership of (a) new nuclear reactors and (b) other new energy infrastructure in the UK.

Andrea Leadsom: The UK Government welcomes responsible foreign investment in the UK’s energy system. Specific proposals for ownership are assessed on competition grounds and against EU and UK law. All energy infrastructure in the UK must be operated in accordance with the relevant UK regulatory system.

Plutonium

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what representations her Department has received from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority on plutonium disposition in the last five years; and if she will publish the documents on that issue submitted to her Department in that period.

Andrea Leadsom: Over the last 5 years DECC and Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) have published a number of documents related to plutonium disposition on the government’s and the NDA’s website, www.gov.uk and www.nda.gov.uk :Plutonium: Credible Options Technical Analysis – NDA - 30 January 2009Plutonium: Credible Options Summary – NDA – 30 January 2009Plutonium Credible Options Analysis (Gate A) – NDA – 07 December 2010NDA Plutonium Current Position – NDA – 20 February 2011Management of the UK’s Plutonium Stocks: A consultation on the long-term management of UK owned separated civil plutonium - DECC – February 2011Management of the UK’s Plutonium Stocks: consultation response – DECC – December 2011Proposals sought for alternatives to re-use of plutonium as MOX fuel – NDA – 23 February 2012Progress on approaches to the management of separated plutonium position paper – NDA – 20 January 2014.Since January 2014, NDA have progressed work in line with the proposals outlined in its 2014 position paper. The Department expects the NDA to report later this year. NDA intend to publish a public position paper in due course summarising the outcome of the latest phase of work.

Energy: Infrastructure

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will prioritise supply chains and the creation of jobs as close as possible to any future development of (a) nuclear infrastructure and (b) renewable energy sources.

Andrea Leadsom: There is a significant opportunity in the UK nuclear sector for development of both the supply chain and skills capacity – it is estimated that an extra 30,000 people will be needed by 2021 to service the planned civil new nuclear build projects. Government is helping industry to realise these opportunities through initiatives such as the government-funded Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC) and the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), which have been established to support UK companies in accessing the market, winning business and growing capability.In addition to nuclear, the Department is supporting a range of technologies in the renewables sector to develop further the UK’s low carbon economy and create a balanced and secure energy mix for the future. This is done by encouraging investment and working closely with industry to build a UK supply chain; we are world-leaders in offshore wind, with an industry that has attracted £9.5bn investment since 2010 and supports over 13,700 jobs. The renewable electricity sector supports around 110,000 jobs across the whole of the UK and could see a further £45bn private sector investment by 2020.

Bradwell Power Station

Sue Hayman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what meetings (a) she, (b) Ministers in her Department and (c) officials in her Department have had on the future of the Magnox site at Bradwell in the last three years.

Andrea Leadsom: There have been no meetings between my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, her Ministers or officials on the future of the Magnox site at Bradwell in the last three years.

Northern Ireland Office

Welfare State: Northern Ireland

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with parties represented in the Northern Ireland Executive on the consequences of failure to pass the Welfare Reform Bill in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: I have facilitated a number of cross-party meetings in an effort to make progress on welfare reform in Northern Ireland. I also held a series of bilateral discussions with each of the main Northern Ireland parties on this issue last week. Implementing welfare reform is a key component of the Stormont House Agreement.Given the very serious situation we are now facing, the quarterly review meeting of the Stormont House Agreement has been brought forward to today (2 June). I urge the Northern Ireland parties to work through the issues and make sure that the progress offered by the Agreement is urgently realised.

Welfare State: Northern Ireland

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the failure to pass the Welfare Reform Bill in the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if she will make a statement.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: I remain focused on the need for the Northern Ireland parties to implement welfare reform in Northern Ireland. I have facilitated a number of talks between all the parties in a bid to reach agreement. As I have highlighted during these discussions, there are very serious implications for Northern Ireland and its budget if the parties fail to reach agreement.

Foreign Investment in UK: Northern Ireland

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent steps she has taken to encourage inward investment in Northern Ireland.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: I am due to meet with a number of business organisations in Northern Ireland in the coming weeks to discuss a range of issues including investment. Additionally, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State recently met with the Chief Executive of Invest NI and we will continue to work with the Executive to promote Northern Ireland as a great place to invest and do business.

Department for Culture Media and Sport

Rugby

Conor McGinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans his Department has for the promotion and development of rugby league.

Tracey Crouch: The Government, through Sport England, is investing £17.5m between 2013 and 2017 to get more people playing rugby league and to ​support talented individuals within the sport. I am keen to meet the Rugby Football League soon to discuss expanding the game across the country.

Department of Health

Mastectomy: Females

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many women in each age cohort have had mastectomies in each of the last five years; and how many of them have had reconstructive breast surgery.

Ben Gummer: The available information is provided in the attached table. 



FCEs- mastectomies & breast reconstruction 2009-14
(Excel SpreadSheet, 14.57 KB)

Alopecia: Females

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what help the NHS provides to women affected by baldness.

George Freeman: NHS England has advised that clinical commissioning groups are responsible for treatment of patients affected by baldness through locally commissioned services.   NHS England would expect services to be commissioned taking account of guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence as well as local population needs.

NHS: Redundancy

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on compulsory redundancies in the NHS.

Ben Gummer: Compulsory redundancies are normally only made as a last resort by National Health Service employers. In order to make best use of public money and to retain valuable skills and knowledge within the NHS, organisations will initially consider a range of alternatives to help reduce the number of compulsory redundancies. This may include cutting vacant posts and seeking volunteers. Organisations may also run a voluntary severance scheme to free up posts into which staff who would otherwise be redundant could be re-deployed.   Staff are not entitled to a redundancy payment if they unreasonably refuse either to apply for, or accept, suitable alternative employment within their own or other NHS employer; or where they obtain suitable alternative employment with the same or another NHS employer within four weeks of their termination date.   New NHS redundancy terms came in to effect on 1 April 2015 and include limiting payments to a maximum of £160,000 for employees earning £80,000 or more and who have at least 24 years of service. The Government announced plans in the Queen’s speech to legislate to put an end to taxpayer funded six figure redundancy payments.

Department of Health: International Tax and Investment Centre

Louise Haigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many meetings (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department have had with (i) Dave Hartnett and (ii) representatives from the International Tax and Investment Centre since 2012.

Jane Ellison: Details of Health Ministers’ meetings are available to view online at:   https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministers-transparency-publications   Information on any meetings with any Departmental officials since 2012 could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Virtual Wards

Jesse Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the potential for virtual wards to improve health care delivery.

Alistair Burt: We recognise the importance of care at home and have identified 800,000 of the most vulnerable patients as part of the Proactive Care Programme.  Virtual wards could provide one way of reducing unplanned admissions by providing the staffing, systems and routines of hospital care in the patient’s own home.

In Vitro Fertilisation: Costs

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of implementing in full the guidance issued by NICE in 2013 on in-vitro fertilisation; and on what basis of calculation that estimate was reached.

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to reduce geographical inequalities in provision of in-vitro fertilisation treatment.

Jane Ellison: The commissioning of fertility services is the responsibility of clinical commissioning groups.   We expect all those involved in commissioning infertility treatment services to be fully aware of the importance of having regard to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) fertility guidelines.   The Department has made no estimate of the cost to the National Health Service of implementing the NICE Guideline for Fertility published in February 2013.

Paracetamol: Children

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will issue guidance to parents and teachers warning them of the dangers of the internet dare known as the paracetemol challenge, in which children reportedly attempt to consume larger quantities of that medication.

George Freeman: Taking paracetamol in quantities which exceed the recommended dose is extremely dangerous. It can cause irreparable damage to the liver and can be fatal. All medicines, including those bought over-the-counter, must be used responsibly and as advised in the information provided with the medicine. Packs of paracetamol have warnings that medical advice should be sought immediately in the event of an overdose, even if the person feels well.   There is a restriction on the quantity of paracetamol tablets/capsules in a pack (16 tablets for sale from general retail outlets, e.g. a supermarket and 32 tablets for sale from pharmacists).   There is also guidance for retailers not to sell more than two packs in one transaction to strongly discourage multiple sales and multibuy promotions. It is illegal to sell more than 100 tablets or capsules of either paracetamol or aspirin in any one retail transaction. Retailers are advised to exercise their judgement in deciding whether it is appropriate to sell to a child, bearing in mind that medicines are labelled to the effect that they should be kept out of reach and sight of children and that many products are not recommended for use by children.

Cancer: Health Services

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what comparative assessment he has made of the speed with which (a) GPs in the UK and (b) their equivalents in other countries refer patients who might have cancer; and what steps he is taking to speed up cancer referrals.

Jane Ellison: Early diagnosis of cancer is a major priority in helping us to improve cancer survival. That is why information on general practitioner (GP) referral rates for suspected cancer is already available and we will continue to support GPs to do more. More than 1.5 million people were urgently referred last year, an increase of 71% compared to 2009-10.   NHS England is working jointly with Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support to test seven new approaches to identifying cancer more quickly. The aim is to evaluate a number of initiatives across more than 60 sites around the country to collect evidence about what makes the most difference to patients.   The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is in the process of updating the “Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer” (2005) to ensure that it reflects latest evidence and can continue to support GPs to identify patients with the symptoms of suspected cancer, and urgently refer them as appropriate.   We will continue to support Be Clear on Cancer campaigns to improve public awareness of the signs/symptoms and risks of cancer and to urge people with signs or symptoms to visit their GP promptly.

Self-harm: Young People

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to reduce the incidence of self-harm amongst children and young people.

Alistair Burt: Self-harm is a symptom of serious emotional distress which must be acted upon to ensure children and young people get the help they need.   This Government is committed to making children and young people’s mental health a high priority. The Children and Young People's Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme is being expanded to cover additional areas of clinical practice, and extended so that by 2018 children and young people across England will have access. This will involve additional clinical staff being trained in the most effective evidence based treatment for self-harm, depression and anxiety.   The Department funds the multicentre study of self-harm, which provides monitoring data on self-harm including children and young people, and underpins knowledge about self-harm in England. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on the short term and longer term management of self-harm cite many outputs from the study.

Accident and Emergency Departments: Northamptonshire

Mr Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to improve A&E provision in North Northamptonshire.

Ben Gummer: The provision of accident & emergency (A&E) services is a matter for the local National Health Service. We are aware of the proposals being developed locally for an Urgent Care Hub at Kettering General Hospital to address pressures faced by the Trust’s A&E service and are encouraged by the innovative thinking of the local commissioners and close working with local people and their representatives.

General Practitioners: Waiting Lists

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of people are waiting a week or more to see or speak to a GP; and what assessment he has made of the effects of access to GPs on attendances at A&E departments.

Alistair Burt: 7% of people who wanted to see or speak to a general practitioner (GP) within a week were unable to do so.   Latest GP Patient Survey results suggest that less than 2% of patients who want GP appointments attend walk-in centres or accident and emergency departments.

NHS: Staff

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the £22 billion efficiency savings identified in NHS England's Five Year Forward View will entail reductions in staff numbers.

Ben Gummer: NHS England will be announcing further details about the implementation of the Five Year Forward View in due course.Making the best use of available technologies and cutting administration costs will free up £1.5 billion per year in this Parliament for extra resources for front line patient care.The Government's manifesto committed that we would continue to ensure that we have enough doctors, nurses and other staff to meet patients’ needs.

Hospitals: Safety

Stephen Metcalfe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made in achieving safety in hospitals in special measures.

Mr Jeremy Hunt: Trusts placed in special measures receive tailored support to address their problems. I am pleased to report that seven trusts out of 21 trusts have now exited the regime, having demonstrated sustainable improvements in safety and quality of care.   In the case of Basildon, I understand that Monitor is working with the Trust to help ensure it returns to a stable financial footing, so that the people of Basildon and Thurrock can receive quality healthcare services on a sustainable basis.

Cancer: Mortality Rates

Mr John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he plans to take to improve cancer survival rates over the next five years.

Jane Ellison: In January 2015, NHS England announced an independent Cancer Taskforce to develop a five-year strategy to improve cancer outcomes, including survival rates. The taskforce published a statement of intent in March and will publish the strategy in the summer. We will work with the National Health Service, charities and patient groups to deliver the new strategy.

Health Services: Third Sector

Antoinette Sandbach: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps the Government has taken to support third-sector organisations in delivering health services in (a) Eddisbury and (b) England.

Alistair Burt: The Department awards around £100 million of grant funding to voluntary sector organisations across the country, including Cheshire, every year. The voluntary sector makes an important contribution to the delivery of local services. We continue to work with commissioners and the sector to encourage effective partnerships.

NHS: Working Hours

Maria Caulfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of how seven-day services will improve patient care.

Ben Gummer: We know that, in hospitals, patient care suffers at weekends because there are fewer consultants present, and some services are not always up and running. This is reflected in mortality rates being significantly higher for patients admitted at a weekend.   That is why we are determined to ensure that patients can get the same care at weekends as during the week.

Mental Health Services

Simon Danczuk: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made in achieving parity of esteem for mental health services.

Alistair Burt: Good mental health is very important to this Government. Having legislated for parity of esteem, this Government will take mental health as seriously as physical health and hold the National Health Service to account for making progress towards parity of esteem. We have committed to introducing new access and waiting standards and will ensure these are delivered.